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─── forty years later ───

Laying in her cell Anna sighed. She was laying on the ground curled into herself in the corner facing the wall. She was trying to forget the world around her as she laid. She was also waiting. Waiting for her close and dear friend Rhysand the High Lord of Night Court to come visit her.

Him having taken her in after that fateful day that changed everything. The day Eddie had died and she had gained a very peculiar and powerful creature... Venom. Rhysand though was the only person she had in this cruel place, Under the Mountain. Well beside Venom.

Rhysand and Venom being the ones to keep her entertained. Venom all the time. While Rhysand did so when he could and brought her as much food as he could. Knowing that she needed it. If not him his handmaidens Nuala and Cerridwen would come here and there to give her food.

But it was mostly Rhysand who came. Whenever he could he would visit her in her cell. She would always thank him. She was grateful for them. Even Venom was. Leading the creature to build a bond with Rhysand too. But Rhysand always shook his head. Saying he would rather be stuck in the cell with them then out and about Under the Mountain.

He would also thank her for giving him a chance at helping her in any way he could. It wasn't much but he kept her fed, and kept the guards away as much as he could. Though there were times he couldn't. Which were the bad days. Rhysand tried his best. Which Anna knew and didn't hold it against him.

He would also thank Anna and Venom for being his friend in such a horrid place, for trusting him even after everything he's done. He found himself leaning on Anna's shoulder more than once. Just as Anna did to him. They had learned many things about each other over the years.

In the last forty years the two had become very close friends. Anna became the one to hold Rhysand as he cried. Telling her of the cruel things he had to do and what was done to him. While he became the one to console her when Venom couldn't. Those were the hard times but Rhysand was there for her. While she was there for him.

But now the past months Rhysand's visits have become sporadic. The last time he had visited her was a week ago and he had caught her up on everything that was happening. Telling her about the trails and the human girl Feyre.

Being she was stuck in the cell there was nothing she could really do. Other than talking to Venom and making up and playing stupid games with him. Also discreetly practicing her magic when she could. Being she was fae she had very little magic but having Venom caused it to grow slightly. Being able to control the earth.

But she would also hear and listen with her enhanced hearing to the whispers of the guards and cell mates. She would always tell Rhysand all that she has heard. Which he would thank her for. Because the guards and cell mates always seem to talk more when they think no one is around.

It was all because of Venom that she could do such a thing, and also because of him she hadn't gone crazy in her cell.

It led Anna to have a small smile upon her lips. As her mind began to be plagued with the funny memory of her and Venom's first official meeting. Looking back on the memory she always found herself laughing fondly at it. But during the moment she didn't find it very funny.

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Anna grunted when she rolled on the ground finally waking up. She felt her body was stronger but she felt somewhat weak. Looking to find herself in another more big and accommodating cell. Which she figured was Rhysand's doing. She soon crawled over to the stone wall. Finding she had chains on her wrist and ankles.

Leaning against the wall Anna began to become shocked and terrified. As she remembered more of what had happened. But she soon yelped when she saw black tendrils come from her shoulder forming and showing a face. It was an onyx colored substance that formed a head with white eyes and sharp white teeth.

"What the hell are you," Anna yelled at the thing. As she looked at it with fear. She tried to crawl away from it but there was nowhere to go. It was attached to her. It was a part of her.

"As I said before I am Venom, and you are mine," Venom growled with a smirk.

"You bit someone's head off! Multiple people's heads off actually!" She exclaimed with disgust.

"Think of it as energy for later. Listen carefully, Annamarie. I know who you are. You're Eddie's little friend from the cell, the one he thought of as a sister. I've been here the whole time but with Eddie. Eddie was tired and couldn't watch you die. You were quick to try and save him so he wanted to save you. So he gave me you," Venom explained to Anna. Who was shaking from fear as she looked at Venom.

"Think of yourself as my ride."

"Wait what if I don't want you. If I don't want this. What if I just want to die while here Under the Mountain," she sobbed. As she looked away from Venom.

"I know everything Anna, everything about you, I'm inside your head. You don't want to die," Venom growled at her. As a black tendril came to her face making her look at him. He had promised Eddie. His former host or vessel, that he would take care, protect, and keep Anna safe. Venom wasn't about to break that promise. Looking at him Anna sighed before speaking.

"Um will you... are you going to eat somebody else," Anna whispered.

"Most likely," Venom told Anna truthfully, and she took in the information. Anna didn't want to die. Not at all. She also remembered Eddie's words. Venom would keep her safe, he promised. He would be there for her. Meaning she wouldn't be alone. She seemed to be starting to agree with the terms.

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Rhysand is coming, little one.

"He is? Wait he is! Why is he walking so fast though?" Anna exclaimed softly with a smile, before questioning. She was quick to turn over and sit up with a grunt. Scenting the air she could tell Rhysand was coming closer. But he was coming closer rather quickly. She then heard footsteps and knew it was him. He almost seemed frantic as he walked. Which made her curious as to what must have happened.

I do not know. But it must be something good. I can smell his happiness from here. But there is something else. Something is wrong.

Hearing him caused Anna to hum in agreement. As she sat up against the wall. She was waiting for Rhysand to come into the cell. But she was even more curious when she heard him stop. Seeming to be stuck in his head. It caused Anna to get up and shuffle her way to the cell door. Careful of the chains on her. Moving closer she stopped a little ways away from the door.

"Rhysand a - are you okay?" Anna stuttered over her words as she asked. She then heard a sigh before the cell door opened slowly. Walking into the cell Rhysand had his gaze on the ground. But soon he was looking at her with a small smile. Which confused Anna.

"We're free Anna. She did it. Feyre did it. Amarantha is dead," Rhysand informed. As he moved forward to take off Anna's chains that were wrapped around her wrist. It caused Anna to gasp hearing that they were free. But soon she was a giggling mess. She couldn't stop the soft giggles that escaped her. She couldn't help it, she was just so happy.

But she suddenly stopped and went quiet. Where would she go? She did not want to go back to Spring Court. But she also had to take into consideration that she now had Venom. So what was she going to do? A sigh escaped her as she thought of such a thing. She was quick to look away from Rhysand. She wouldn't ask him if she could go to his Court. She didn't want to throw herself and Venom on him. She didn't want him to have to worry about her and Venom being in his Court. Especially with their eating habits. But her thoughts were stopped by Rhysand speaking again.

"I know that look. Sweetie you're both coming with me," Rhysand soothed. After taking the chains off he reached to push a curly out of her face and made her look at him. Looking at him Anna shook her head she didn't want to burden him with her and Venom. She was about to decline but Rhysand stopped her again.

"I don't want to hear it, Annamarie. You and Venom are coming with me. You both are my friends... hell you're my family. You've been my family for the last forty years in this fucked up place. And I take care of my family no matter what. I don't want to bring it up but I know you have nowhere to go. So you're coming with me to my Court whether you like it or not. I want you to come home with me. Don't worry about anything. Just come with me. Please Anna," Rhysand rambled on trying to reason with her before he pleaded. Hearing his speech and seeing him in such a state caused Anna to sigh.

Let's go with him. As he said, we have nowhere to go. So let's leave with him. If anything I will bite his head off and eat him whole. If anything happens to us.

"O - Okay. We'll go with you Rhys," she agreed with a nod. A smile soon washed over her seeing Rhysand smile. A sigh of relief escaped him before he pulled Anna into his arms for a hug. A giggled left Anna as she wrapped her arms around him. But she stopped giggling when Rhysand fell deeper into her arms. He seemed to be defeated. Which confused her. Then she remembered that Venom said there was something wrong with him.

"What's w - wrong Rhys? V said there w - was something wrong earlier," Anna asked. As she pulled away from Rhysand and took his face in her hands. She was worried about him. Because now he seemed to be trying to keep himself together. A defeated sigh escaped him as he looked into her dark brown eyes.

"Feyre... she's my mate," Rhysand muttered. Closing his eyes as he took a deep breath. Hearing him caused Anna's eyes to widen in shock. She knew what has been happening between him and Feyre. She knew Feyre hated Rhysand's guts. From what he told her. And that she was in love with another... Tamlin High Lord of the Spring Court.

Shit. I feel sorry for him. Say something Anna. Anything would be nice.

"Um I - I... I'm sorry Rhys. I - I'm sure things will work out. You have the bargain right. M - Maybe things will change in time. Just have some hope. I - I know I do. You deserve a mate Rhys. If anyone does it's you," Anna consoled and encouraged. Opening his eyes Rhysand sent her a smile.

"Thank you Anna. Now let's get going. I want out of this place and I have some people I want you to meet," Rhysand smiled. Before he took Anna's hand and pulled her out of her cell. They were both walking quietly until Rhysand led her out to a balcony. The first thing Anna saw was the sun. Which blinded and scared her. It caused her to gasp and hide behind Rhysand.

"It's just the sun sweetie," he chuckled. Before turning, still blocking the sun for her. Looking down at her with a smile. As he placed his hand on her arm to try and sooth her. Watching as she blinked her eyes to adjust them.

"It's just b - been so long. And everything is just so much more b - brighter than last time. I - It hurt my eyes. Everything is so different now," Anna whispered. As she placed her head gently on his chest and sighed. Humming Rhysand nodded and pulled her into his arms laying his head atop of hers. Wrapping her arms around him she smiled.

"I know Anna. I know. But everything was bound to be different. It's been forty years for you being outside, and you now have Venom. Everything is going to be very different for you. But know I will be there for you sweetie. I will be there for both of you," Rhysand comforted her.

Thank you.

"Thank you Rhys. V - V said thank you too," she thanked him for both herself and Venom.

"You are both very welcome. Now let's go. I don't want to stay any longer," Rhysand smiled. He then let her go and took her hand. Rhysand was then winnowing the two of them away. Taking them to Velaris.  

✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄ 𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐎𝐌 ⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧

―𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑'𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄―

hi everyone! i really hope you like it. but yeah i don't have much to say. just please let me know what you think.

Please vote & comment! What are your thoughts I'd love to hear them!

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